Putin Tells Trump's Delegates Russia Will Achieve Military Goals in Ukraine

On Sunday, Vladimir Putin assured representatives from the Trump administration that the Russian military will achieve its "set objectives" in Ukraine. This declaration came after a meeting at the Kremlin with Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as reported by EFE.

The lengthy meeting, lasting around four to five hours in Moscow, was described as "timely" by the Kremlin. Moscow reiterated its commitment to Washington, expressing a desire to "jointly seek a negotiated solution to the current conflict," although neither side disclosed the specifics of the proposals discussed.

During the meeting, Putin not only dismissed any pressure to halt military operations but also highlighted the "real successes" of Russian forces on the battlefield to his visitors.

The Ongoing Conflict in Donbas

Independent analysts acknowledge that Russia has intensified its operations in the Donbas region in recent weeks. However, they remain skeptical about Russia's ability to fully capture the area before winter sets in.

Following their Kremlin talks, Witkoff and Kushner traveled by train to Kiev, where they met with Ukraine's negotiating team. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov, Director of Foreign Intelligence Rustem Umerov, parliamentary leader David Arakhamia from the ruling Servant of the People party, and First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, Serhiy Kyslytsia, before meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Continuing Hostilities Despite Diplomacy

Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting continued unabated. An agreement to pause attacks on the capitals for 72 hours, reached on Saturday, was quickly disregarded as hostilities resumed outside Moscow and Kiev.

Overnight, Russia launched 108 drones into Ukrainian territory, hitting 11 locations. In Zaporizhia, a 74-year-old man was killed, and three others were injured. Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept 82 of the various drones.

In response, Ukraine conducted a massive drone offensive affecting up to 14 Russian regions, including Crimea and the Black and Azov Seas. Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed to have shot down 258 hostile drones, a significant increase from the previous day.

Key Incidents and Casualties

One notable incident involved a fire at a Rosneft oil refinery in the Ryazan region, less than 200 kilometers from Moscow. Regional Governor Pavel Malkov confirmed the blaze at the facility, which processes nearly 17 million tons annually, producing gasoline, liquefied gas, and aviation kerosene.

In the Belgorod border region, heavily impacted by the conflict, three individuals were killed in over 100 strikes involving Ukrainian howitzers and drones over 24 hours. In Rostov, debris from a drone strike on a locomotive halted seven passenger trains, injuring four people, including two minors.

This marks Witkoff and Kushner's second confirmed visit to the Kremlin, with the first occurring in January 2026 as part of the Trump administration's peace initiatives during its second term. In June, Putin rejected a broad ceasefire and Zelensky's proposal for direct negotiations, ordering the continuation of military advancements.

Experts caution that while Russia's progress in the Donbas has accelerated, the ability of Moscow to fully consolidate control over the region before the "harsh winter" is doubtful, potentially affecting both sides' negotiating positions in the coming weeks.